Bush Pays Special Visit To Special-needs School

Parents Heartened By Candidate's Show Of Interest

July 22, 1998|By PETER BERNARD Staff Writer

DAVIE — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeb Bush toured the Baudhuin Oral School at Nova Southeastern University on Tuesday, ending his visit with an address to teachers and parents, including Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

Bush visited the pioneering school for autistic children at the invitation of Ruth Singer-Strunck, an activist with the Florida Autism Coalition. Her son, Andy, attends the school.

``I grabbed him at a fund-raising dinner, started talking to him about our school, and he listened,'' Singer-Strunck said. ``So much of the funding for our programs relies on the Legislature and the governor, so I wanted him to come see the school.''

The school provides services to Broward preschool and elementary school children with autism, communication disorders, learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. The private, non-profit school enrolls public school students under contract with the Broward School Board.

``One of the things we need to do is help people who can't help themselves,'' Bush told the group. ``Unfortunately, these are also the people who can't afford lobbyists.''

``Autistic children and their families need additional services they frequently can't get, and that's why I support Jeb Bush,'' said Angela Guareni, whose son, Andy, is leaving the school to attend Coral Park Elementary this fall.

``If he makes it into office, I expect a continuance of programs like this and the implementation of additional services as needed,'' she said.

Marino's son, Michael, was a student at the school until he was enrolled at the University School with the rest of Marino's children. Marino, a Republican, expressed gratitude for Bush's visit.

``I came to support the school and its programs,'' Marino said. ``I support anyone who helps people, and I'm glad he's here.''